Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does binary fission produce new cells?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Reproduction
Fungi produce billions of spores that give rise to new generations of fungi.
Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction in which a parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells. The process generally follows these key steps:12
- Genetic Replication: The organism first duplicates its genetic material, typically DNA.23
- Cell Growth: The cell increases in volume and elongates to accommodate the duplicated material.12
- Septum Formation: A dividing partition, or septum, forms toward the midpoint of the cell. In bacteria, this is often guided by a protein called FtsZ, which forms a ring to pull the cell membrane inward.2
- Cytokinesis: The cytoplasm divides on either side of the septum, effectively splitting the cell into two separate parts. Each daughter cell receives one copy of the genetic material.23
While this is the primary method for prokaryotic organisms like bacteria, the specific mechanics of wall formation can vary depending on the cell type, such as whether the cell wall pinches inward or forms a median plate.13